After being in existence for 154 years, it is evident that Antioch Missionary Baptist Church has a full, rich, and spiritual history. Baptist missionaries began working in Texas as far back as 1830, centering in Houston, which is said to be the Mother of Texas Baptist work. By 1945, there were four hundred thousand Black Baptists in Texas, which led to Noah Hill being called to represent the Black Texas Baptist at the Texas Baptist Convention. Among the four hundred thousand were those who lived in the small East Texas town of Palestine.
Built in the setting of Palestine’s Old Town, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is said to be the second oldest Black Church in the State of Texas and is the first Black Church in the City of Palestine. The Church history dates back to the year 1856 when many of the worship services were conducted in various homes. Many of the members who worshipped at Antioch during those early years were the first generation of many offspring who worked in Antioch down through the years as well as today.
On November 19, 1873, John H. Reagan deeded land to Bristow Smith, Virgil Campbell, Thomas Hughes, Bob Johnson and their successors on which to build a Church in order to worship God and educate their children. This land was located in Old Town in the northeast part of Palestine on Mulberry Street. The Church was then formally named Antioch, but was referred to as Antioch under the Hill.
The membership grew rapidly and this led the members of Antioch to an unsuccessful attempt at purchasing property in a predominately white area, but it would be years before integrated neighborhoods would be geographically and socially acceptable. Determined, however, Hattie M. Davis and the women of Antioch selected land on Murchison Street. Church trustees purchased it on July 3, 1885 for fifty dollars.
On April 25, 1887, the members purchased an additional lot for forty dollars on Murchison Street for the purpose of building a Church parsonage. A small edifice was built by a Black carpenter, W. M. Freeman, and the cornerstone was laid on July 12, 1895 under the administration of Rev. W. M. Duncan.
Rev. T. W. Dailey soon came to serve as pastor with a challenging future. Under his leadership, much improvement was done, including adding a lower level with a baptizing pool, new pews were purchased, and a bell was placed in the belfry. The ministers who pastored after him included Rev. C. W. Hill, Rev. J. D. Hull, and Rev. D. J. Crawford.
Beginning in 1920, Rev. J. B. Atkins pastored Antioch for eight years and was assisted by Rev. David E. Swanson. The architectural structure of the Church was completely changed under the leadership of Rev. Atkins. A pastor’s study and choir room were added to the upper level and a kitchen and dining area to the lower level. The numerous growth was more than gratifying and the spiritual development of the Church was notable.
Rev. Atkins passed away on September 14, 1928. Following his death, Rev. G. R. King, a great gospel minister, came to serve as pastor. Rev. W. G. Shephard who pastored 17 years followed him, and with a simple plan, the mortgage was paid off.
Rev. M. S. Houston followed, and during his administration, restroom facilities and a drinking fountain were installed and a grand piano was purchased. Rev. B. B. Brown soon came to pastor Antioch and Rev. James L. Bass served as youth minister. Rev. Brown pastored for eight years and was instrumental in purchasing a Church bus and courtesy cars, building the membership, and strengthening the various departments of the Church.
In 1962, Antioch burned. Our hearts were saddened, but our faith was real. All that still remain are the steps that led the way to Antioch and the grand piano. Many fond memories are held of this historical red brick Church that so proudly stood atop a hill on Murchison Street, which is now referred to as Old Antioch.
After this tragedy, the members worshipped in the Community Center on Garland Street until further plans could be made to rebuild a sanctuary. Later in 1962, Rev. G. L. Mays became pastor and during this time the membership was increased through street ministry, a band was added to our Music Department, and many organizations became active. On April 8, 1963, a lot was purchased to begin construction on a new Church building at 907 E. Murchison Street.
In 1964 Rev. James L. Bass was elected to pastor Antioch. Under his administration, the cornerstone was laid and is presently displayed along with the 1895 cornerstone. A house adjacent to the Church was also purchased and remodeled for use as a fellowship hall. Air conditioner units, carpeting, a public announcing system, new hymnals, mimeograph machine, a Hammond organ and pews were all purchased under the leadership of Rev. Bass. A vestibule and nursery room was added to the sanctuary, and the Church mortgage liquidated.
On November 9, 1980, Antioch dedicated a new sanctuary, and the former sanctuary was remodeled and used by our Sunday school Department and as a fellowship hall. The former fellowship hall was torn down and is now a parking lot. The historical marker research of Antioch was begun in the fall of 1985 in order to register the Church as a historical institution.
The administration of Rev. Bass lasted 23 years and in May 1988, Rev. Roy Duncan was elected to pastor Antioch. Under his leadership, the Church has tremendously increased, both in numerical and spiritual growth. With God’s guidance and blessings, the indebtedness of our Church was, again, liquidated and we completed our Historical Museum and production of a video tape that chronicles the history of Antioch since 1856. On February 13, 1994, the Texas Historical Society declared Antioch a Texas Historical Landmark. Renovations to the building include the Fellowship Hall adding the Spencer Room (game/youth room), Reference library and Computer Lab, Pulpit area remodeled and choir loft elevated. Other accomplishments under Pastor Duncan consist of the acquisition of 31 properties (including eleven (11) rentals), installation of a concrete parking lot, church vans, steeple erected on main building:
Rev. Roy G. Duncan has been the Pastor of the great Antioch Missionary Baptist Church since 1988. Through his leadership by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, the church has experienced significant progress spiritually, numerically and economically. He has influenced the church to be congregation that makes a difference in time and in eternity.
Making a Difference in the Church: Many ministries have been birthed as a result of his passion for people and his commitment to the building of God's Kingdom. Comprehensive ministry that includes a strong children and teen ministries are now functioning with a committed team of workers, effective adult ministries to men, women, seniors, singles and couples - all can find a place at Antioch. His expository, anointed preaching/teaching takes listeners to a deeper level in the Word which lifts to a higher level of ministry.
Making a Difference in the Community: He is the Founder of the East Palestine Community Development, Inc., a Non-Profit Organization specifically focusing on the betterment of the (Old Town) Community through affordable rental properties, land development, small businesses, home buyers education (which includes the building of new homes) and The Berean Christian Academy, a Christian School and Day Care ages 0-12 with the intent of "touching tomorrow today".
Making a Difference in the City, County, Country and the World:
His community and professional affiliations have been numerous. He has served as Moderator of the Zion Hill Association, President of the Anderson County Community Relations Council Board of Directors, Sanctuary House Board of Directors (a homeless shelter), President of the Ministerial Alliance of African American Churches and the Greater Ministerial Alliance of Anderson County Pastors, Board of Directors of the YMCA, the American Red Cross, Board Member of East Texas Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ETCADA) and others. In June of 2009 he was consecrated as an Overseer in Kingdom Builders Global Fellowship.
He is the recipient of Pastor of the Year Award by Texas Educational Baptist State Convention, Visionary of the Year Award of TEBSC, Citizen of the Year for 2008 by the Palestine Chamber of Commerce, led missionary trips to nationally and internationally including Uganda East Africa and Caribbean.
His educational background includes: Dallas Baptist University, Southern Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary, he studied Business at Cedar Valley Community College all of Dallas; Jacksonville Theological Seminary; and locally Trinity Valley Community College. He travels throughout the country and the world preaching and teaching the Gospel to all who will hear. Pastor Duncan also served in the U. S. Navy and was Honorably discharged.
Making a Difference in Family:
He and his lovely wife, former Yvonne Clewis, have been married since November 1968. She too is a difference maker. For all of her adult life she has been an advocate of small children in the home as a foster parent, in public and private education. She now serves as the Pre-K teacher and director at Berean Christian Academy, she is actively involved in the Women's Ministry.
Pastor and Sis. Duncan have 4 Children. Troy, Kevin, (Charlette); Alex, U. S. Navy and Veronica. They have 7 grandchildren (Lauren, Jordan, DaQualin, Roland, Brandon, Chastity and Courtney).
His life theme scripture is Philippians two including verse 4, “Let each of you look out not only for its own interest but also for the interest of others.”
"Whatever you do in Word or in deed - do it as unto the Lord"
SENIOR PASTOR
Roy G. Duncan
PRESENT MINISTERS
Reginald Bridges
Gary Carr
Charles Corbins
Elmer Logans
Larry Peterson
13 others licensed to preach the gospel including 3 ordained pastors
DEACON/TRUSTEES
James Clayton
Tommy Davis
Simmie Douglas
Johnny Jackson
Edward McCoy
Greg Standley
CHURCH SECRETARY
Trina Bass
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Church and School
Pamler Lomax
SPECIAL ASSISTANTS TO PASTOR
Beverly Russell
Tyrone Lockhart